International Green Construction Code Provides Building Block for Standardizing Green Building Practices

By Nancy Kratky

April 20, 2010

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Multiple organizations have joined forces to launch the International Green Construction Code, a comprehensive model green building code intended to promote high performance green building practices in the U.S.

The collaboration between The International Code Council (ICC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) has resulted in a framework for the construction of high performance commercial buildings that are both safe and sustainable. The document represents the merger of two ongoing efforts to codify green building practices, the LEED Green Building Rating System and ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance, GreenBuildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

According to an ICC news release, “IGCC aims to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gasses….. as well as addresses site development and land use. . . .Enforcement of the code will improve indoor air quality and support the use of energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy systems, water resource conservation, rainwater collection and distribution systems, and the recovery of used water.” [read more]